My Last Resolution(18)

“It’s just for one.” I look over my shoulder and see Blake talking on his cell phone. “I need a room until next Sunday please.”

“Next Sunday?” He types on his keyboard. “I can do that for eighty three dollars a night—cash, ninety nine if you’re using a credit card.”

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“Sounds great.” I pull out my wallet.

“Oh and by state law,” he says, lowering his voice, “I’m required to tell you that we’re in the middle of renovating our rooms.”

“Okay...Why would that be a problem?”

“It’s not. Most people just like to know whenever there’s a bed bug outbreak.” He shrugs. “It’s not that big of a deal in my opinion.”

“I’m sorry, what?” I freeze. “Are you renovating, or are you fumigating?”

“Fumigating,” he repeats. “That’s the word I was looking for. Same thing.”

“Are you out of your damn mind? It is not the same thing!”

“So, you don’t want the room anymore? What about for fifty a night? That’s as low as I’m allowed to go.”

I take a deep breath and sigh. “No thanks.” I turn around and look at Blake who is now giving me an ‘I told you so’ look.

“There’s another hotel park two miles down,” he says. “I can take you there too if you’d like.”

I don’t say anything in response. I follow him back to his car, and he opens the door—stepping in front of me before I can get in.

“Am I taking you to the other hotel park or have you finally come to your senses?”

“You’re taking me to the other hotel park.” I mutter, but then I quickly change my answer. “I’ll take you up on your hospitality offer, but only under two conditions.”

“And what conditions are those?”

“Number one, you can’t kiss me again.” I try not to smile. “Seriously. And number two, if I get drunk, which I probably will given the circumstances, you can’t take advantage of me.”

He shakes his head, and then he steps out of the way—motioning for me to slip inside.

“So?” I refuse to get into his car until he agrees. “What do you say? Do you agree to those conditions?”

“Not at all.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because I am going to kiss you again.” He leans close. “Seriously. And you won’t be drunk when you beg me to take advantage of you. You’ll be completely sober.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, making my heart race ten times faster. “Those are my conditions. Can you agree to those?”

I look away from him and slip into the car—hoping I won’t regret checking off my number four.

Chapter 6

“Is that everything?” I place a shopping bag onto the kitchen counter. “Can I go to my room now?”

Blake shakes his head and leads me into the living room, motioning for me to lie back against the pillows. For the past few hours, I’ve been tagging along and watching him shop for storm supplies.

Even though I thought the people in this city were overreacting to this invisible storm, the second we finished buying fleece blankets, the parking lot had been covered in a light snow and the skies had turned grey.

“It’ll probably get worse as the days go on,” he’d said. “We should probably get a few more things.”

Those “few more things” turned into a lot more things, and I swear we stopped at every store in sight. He bought candles, flashlights, sleeping bags, draft sealant, and, to “thank me for being his company,” he bought me four more silk slips and a white robe. As ridiculous as some of the comments he made were (“You should model those slips for me one night...”), I actually enjoyed being around him.

“Are you tired?” He turns on the fireplace.

“No, just disappointed.”

“Why?”

I shake my head. I don’t want to bore him with anymore talk of Adrian.

“Why, Paris?” He walks over to me and raises his eyebrow.

When I don’t say anything, he sits on the couch and pulls me into his lap. Before I can move, he begins to massage my shoulders.

“Are you from Nashville, Paris?” he whispers.

“Born and raised...You’re from D.C.?”

“Seattle.”

“You took a flight from Seattle to Atlanta and then to D.C.? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I didn’t create the flight plan.” His hands softly rub the back of my neck. “But I’ll be sure to share your concerns with the airline the next time I fly.”

“You should...” I bite my tongue so I won’t murmur, so I won’t give him any idea about how good his hands feel. “You should definitely do that...Next time you fly...”

“Tell me why you’re disappointed.”

I shake my head, and he gently tilts my head back until I’m looking into his eyes.

“Tell me.”

“I don’t want to hate my ex-boyfriend anymore.”

“Then don’t.”

“Easier said than done...” I sigh as he caresses my shoulders again, as he blows soft and gentle kisses against my neck.